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The Child Moses 



Lily M. Leaman 



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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



The Child Moses 



A Biblical Play 



By 
LILY M. LEAMAN 




PHILADELPHIA 
THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 






-«°^"> 



X^ 



Copyright 1919 by The Penn Publishing Company 



JUN 30 1919 

©01.0 52117 
The Child Moses 



The Child Moses 



CHARACTERS 



Amram 

JoCHEBED 

Miriam 
Moses - 
Khai - 
Thermuthis 

KlLAGIPA I 
ZOUHARTI j 

Nefert - 
Jambres I 
Jannes I 



- an Israelite 

his 7vife 

their daughter 

- their infant sofi 

afi Egyptian official 

the daughter of Pharaoh 

ladies of the king^s household 

- an Egyptian wo?nan 

sacred scribes of the king 



Time of Playing. — Forty-five minutes. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

The play is based upon the story told in the first 
chapter of Exodus. Sesostris, the Pharaoh or king 
of the Egyptians, holds the Hebrews in bondage. It 
has been foretold that among them shall arise a deliv- 
erer. To prevent this Pharaoh has decreed the death 
of all Hebrew baby boys. Amram and Jochebed have 
been hiding their infant son, but can conceal him no 
longer. They set him afloat on the river. He is found 
by the Egyptian princess, Thermuthis, who names him 
Moses. She needs a nurse for him and Miriam, the 
sister of Moses, suggests his own mother, Jochebed. 
Thus the family is miraculously reunited, and Amram 
predicts that Moses shall be the long expected deliverer 
of his race. 



COSTUMES, ETC. 

An excellent guide for costumes, etc., will be found 
by consulting any good illustrated Bible. Books show- 
ing costumes and ornaments of the ancient Hebrews 
and Egyptians may also be found in any public library. 

All the characters should have dark hair and com- 
plexion. Amram should appear about thirty-five to 
forty years of age, Jochebed a little younger. Miriam 
is a child of about ten years. Moses is an infant of 
three months. He may be a real infant, with dark 
hair, or a large doll may be used, carefully wrapped 
up, the face being kept turned from the audience and 
hidden by wrappings. Khai is about thirty, and 
should have the look of an officer or soldier. Ther- 
muthis, KiLAGiPA (Keelagepa) and Zouharti are all 
about twenty. Thermuthis should be a little more 
richly dressed than the other tw^o, and should wear on 
her forehead the usual Egyptian mark of royalty (see 
books as noted above). Kilagipa is selfish and cold. 



PROPERTIES 



ZouHARTi is kind. Nefert is about thirty, and 
should look like a servant. Jambres and Jannes are 
about forty and sixty, respectively. They are scribes, 
officers of Pharaoh's court, and of haughty manner. 
Their dress is white. 



PROPERTIES 



The ark or little boat in w^hich Moses is placed to be 
set afloat on the river. This may be made from any 
basket long enough to hold the infant or doll used for 
the part of Moses. There should be no handle or 
cover to it. Soak newspapers in flour paste and cover 
the basket with them roughly, putting on several layers. 
Allow the basket thus covered to dry thoroughly, then 
apply one or more coats of black paint, to represent 
the " daubed pitch " referred to in the Bible and in the 
play. (The painted paper may easily be removed 
afterward, if desired, by soaking in warm water.) 

The only other property required for the play is the 
necklace worn by Thermuthis, and given by her to 
Moses. A slender string of colored beads with a 
pendant of colored stone or of gold will serve. If a 
museum is near at hand it will pay to visit it in search 
of an actual Egyptian necklace, as well as for other 
effective touches of costume and stage setting. 



SCENE PLOTS 



Scene I. — A room in the hut of Amram, the 
Hebrew. Any rude and simple interior will serve. 
There are doorways r. and l. in which should be hung 
plain curtains of cotton. Egyptian designs on these 
and on the walls will help the effect. The room has no 
furniture except a few^ cushions. 

Scene II. — An open space near the river. Back- 
ground of soft buff, or light blue. Bushes up r. and l. 
and across the back, interspersed if possible with 



SCENE PLOTS 



Straight reeds or rushes. Consult books on Egypt 
for scenes along the Nile. If painted scenery is used 
a rich effect can be obtained, with temples or pyramids 
in the distance and the river showing near at hand. 
But the play may be given effectively wiih the simple 
setting suggested above. 



The Child Moses 



SCENE I. — A room in a Hebrew dwelling in Egypt in 
the time of Pharaoh Sesostris. A door up r. is the 
front entrance to the house, and another door down 
L. leads to a hack room of the house. 

{At the rise of the curtain Jochebed, down l., is busy- 
ing herself over a little ark made of rushes. She 
works hastily, looking fearfully over her shoulder 
now and then toward r. Miriam is seated on a 
cushion, down r. In her arms she rocks the baby 
Moses.) 

Miriam {sings or chants) . 

Sleep my baby brother, 
Egyptians watch thy mother. 
We have built a little ark 
To float thee in the river: 
God will save his chosen one 
His people to deliver. 
Fear not, fear not, 
Sleep, my baby brother. 

{Enter Amram, r. As the curtain falls behind him he 
wheels suddenly around toward the way he has come, 
grasps the curtain cautiously, and peers out r. around 
the edge of it. Jochebed springs to her feet, lock- 
ing her hands nervously.) 

Jochebed {in a low tone). Ah, what is it? Are 
they coming? 

{She crosses R. and fries to peer out around the cur- 
tain,) 

7 



8 THE CHILD MOSES 

Amram (sternly, in a low voice). Hush! {They 
stand silent, while he still looks out at the edge of the 
curtain. Suddenly he straightens, relief showing in 
his face.) There! She is gone! 

JOCHEBED. Who — who ? 

Amram. The woman Shiprah. She followed me. 
{Looks out again.) 

JocHEBED {wringing her hands). Oh, why does she 
persecute us ? 

Amram. She is an Egyptian. They do not love 
us Hebrews. Is the ark ready? 

JocHEBED {clinging to his arm). Oh, Amram, my 
husband, is there no other way? 

Amram. None. {Takes her in his arms.) ' 
Pharaoh*s law is cruel. Every male Hebrew babe 
must be cast into the river to perish. {Leads her c.) 

JocHEBED {sobbing). Oh, I cannot bear it — I can- 
not bear it. 

Amram {calming her). Peace ; you will bring them 
down on us. If they find him here we shall all die. 

(Miriam, crying, rises and carries baby off L.) 

JocHEBED. But can I not keep him for one more 
day — my beautiful baby? 

Amram. Ye know the law. It may mean death 
for us all. 

JocHEBED. But one day — one day! 

Amram. For three months have we hidden him 
from the prying eyes of the Egyptians. Each day his 
voice grows stronger. The woman Shiprah is ever 
on the watch. 

JocHEBED {weeping), I shall never see him again. 

Amram. It shall be as the Lord wills. We will 
secretly set him afloat on the river in the little ark. If 
the Lord wills, he ma}^ return to us. 

JocHEBED. I would gladly die to save him. 

AmraM; I know thou wouldst; but thy dying 
would not save him. 

JoCHEBED (fiercely). With our baby boys all killed 



THE CHILD MOSES 9 

we shall soon be but a nation of women, helpless slaves 
of Egypt's heartless king. 

Am RAM. The Lord will repay, in his good time. 
Remember, he has promised us a deliverer. It is the 
fear of him that causes Pharaoh to take this cruel 
precaution. But he will come, — he will come ! 

JocHEBED. From whence will he come? 

Am RAM. The Lord our God knoweth. Even now 
he may be on the way. 

JocHEBED {weeping). Too late to save my boy! 

Am RAM. Courage, Jochebed, courage. Is it not 
hard for me also? Come, it must be done. 

(Miriam, carrying the baby, appears at l.) 

Miriam. Oh, let us keep him, father. I will watch 
and watch, and when I see an Egyptian coming, I 
will sing or call and mother will know and will hide. 
Please, let us keep him. 

Am RAM (sadly). It is useless, my child. We must 
send him away, or surely lose him. To-day the 
wicked prevail against us. Yet the God of our fathers 
is strong. The trials of to-day may be but the prepa- 
ration of the joys of to-morrow. Come, Jochebed, 
put him into the ark. 

Jochebed (taking the baby from Miriam). So 
Abraham laid his son Isaac on the altar. Oh, my little 
lamb ! God save thee ! 

(Jochebed kisses her child and lays it in the ark, 

down c.) 

Amram. Out of the pit into which his brothers 
threw him, out of the bondage into which his brothers 
sold him, God brought Joseph at last to glory and 
honor. So will God fulfill his promises. (He kneels 
and kisses the baby, then turns to Jochebed.) The 
ark is water tight ? 

Jochebed. It is so daubed with pitch and slime that 
not a drop of water could find its way to harm my 
babe. 

Miriam. And, father, see how soft we made the 
little bed. 



10 THE CHILD MOSES 

Amram {rising). Now, Miriam, take the ark and 
lay it gently in the water. God will guide the little 
boat. No harm shall come to brother. Have faith, 
my wife. And, Miriam, stay near the riverside and 
watch to see what happens. 

{He gives the ark into Miriam's hands.) 

JOCHEBED. I must gO tOO. 

Amram. If thou art seen thou mayest arouse sus- 
picions. Ye might be followed by one of Egypt's spy- 
ing women, by cruel Shiprah, who would drag the child 
from its ark and throw it helpless into the current. 
Miriam alone may not be noticed. 

JocHEBED. She might drop it. 

{She takes the ark from Miriam.) 

Miriam. Why, mother, haven't I cared for brother 
almost as much as thou ? I couldn't drop him ! 

JocHEBED. Thou mightcst stumble ! Thou mightest 
tip the bulrush cradle when thou settest it in the water. 

Amram. It is too great a risk for thee to go. Stay 
here with me and trust to Miriam. 

JocnEBED. If my child must be given to the mercy 
of the river, I myself will place him in the stream. 
Do not prevent me, Amram, for I must see him safe 
afloat. None but mother, little son, shall speed thee 
on thy journey. 

Amram. Hasten, then. Go out by the back way, 
and glide among the bushes and the reeds, and take 
good care that no one mark thy course. As soon as 
possible come back, and Miriam will keep watch and 
bring us word if anything shall happen. (Jochebed 
with the ark in her arms goes out l., followed by 
Miriam.) My little son, my only one ! {Kneels l. c.) 
Oh, God of Israel, have compassion on Thy people, 
who have in no way transgressed the laws of Thy 
worship; deliver them from the miseries that thev 
endure, and let not the nation perish at the hands of 
the enemies who seek to destroy it. 

(Khai bursts in at the door, r.) 



THE CHILD MOSES II 

Khai. What, Amram, still praying to the God who 
leaves you all in bondage to the worshipers of Osiris 
and Ra? 

Amram (rising). Our God shall yet deliver us. 

Khai. Oh, touching faith ! Much comfort may it 
give thee. 

Amram. It gives us strength to live. 

Khai. If Pharaoh first permit it. Art thou alone? 

Amram. I am. What is it that thou wishest? 

Khai. I am here to take you all. Thou, thy wife 
and daughter — and thy son! 

Amram. What dost thou mean? 

Khai. Art thou not hiding here a new-born babe? 
Thou knowest the penalty. We have been watching 
thee for some time, and to-day wife Shiprah, passing 
by thy hut, declared she heard a baby cry, and 
straightway brought me word. Deliver up the child! 

Amram {raising his hands in prayer). Lord God 
of Israel 

Khai. Pray on to thy deaf God, 

Amram. He hears my prayer. 

Khai. Where is the child? If thou dost not give 
him up immediately I shall make a search, and if I 
find that thou hast dared to break our Pharaoh's law, 
then thou shalt die, with all thy household. 

'Amram. Khai, thou hast often shown me kindness. 

Khai. I had no cause to hate thee. Thou hast 
been obedient to our king. Thou art both wise and 
learned. Thou art a man whom I could love if thou 
wert of our race. Although I do believe in all the 
gods of Egypt, I cannot quite despise thy steadfast 
faith in thy one God. Yet if thou hast sought to hide 
a boy, defying thus my king, I shall not spare thee, 
neither thee nor thine. Must I proceed to search? 
Give up the child to be cast into the river, and save 
thyself. 

Amram. A noble action, truly ! 

Khai. To save thy wife and daughter, then. 

Amram. How can I give what I have not? 

Khai. Dost thou say that here there hath been no 
son born? 



12 THE CHILD MOSES 

Amram. I tell thee, Khai, I cannot give what I 
have not. 

Khai. I'll waste no time in senseless words. I'll 
search the house and satisfy myself. 

{Exit Kpiai, l.) 

Amram. Search on and take thy time. Oh, 
Jochebed, make haste! He soon will ask for thee. 
The river is more kind than one of Pharaoh's serv- 
ants. There is a chance of safety in the stream ; 
somewhere the little ark may find a place to rest. 
Some one must rescue it. Why doth not Jochebed 
come back? How shall I prevent Khai from going 
out in search of her when he finds out the truth ? 

(Enter Khai, l.) 

Khai. Where is thy wife? 

Amram. She should be here. She cannot, be far 
away. She was here a very little while ago. 

Khai. Where is she now? Where did she go? 
Did she take her child with her ? 

Amram. She should be here by now. 

Khai. Must I go forth and search for her? 

Amram. Canst thou not wait a little while? I am 
sure she will be here— oh, very, very soon. 

Khai. Why dost thou wish to keep me here? 

Amram. To see my wife. Thou wishest to see my 
wife? 

Khai. To see thy wife! This talk is useless. 

Amram. Is it? I did not think it so. Shall I go 
forth to find my wife? 

Khai. To warn her? No, we will wait together 
her return. 

(Khai takes a position near the door at l., with his 
hack against the wall at l. Amram crosses r. and 
stands against the wall r. opposite the door l. 
Jochebed enters l. and, rushing toward her husband, 
does not see Khai. She speaks before Amram can 
warn her.) 

Jochebed. Oh, Amram, our little son. 



THE CHILD MOSES 



13 



(Khai steps forzvard mtd confronts her.) 

Khai (l.). Our little son! I knew it! 

JocHEBED (r. c). What have I said? 

Khai. The truth. Where is thy little son ? Where 
hast thou hidden him ? Give up thy son, in Pharaoh's 
name. He must be cast into the river, according to 
the law. 

JocHEBED. I cannot give what I have given, 

Khai. What dost thou mean ? 

JocHEBED. I have given him to the river. 

Khai (starting forward). To the river! 

JocHEBED. Aye — was not that the king's command ? 
Amram, Amram, I saw my baby carried away down ^ 
the stream. My little one, my lamb, our only, only 
son! 

Khai. A mother weeping for her child — a sad, but 
common sight these days ! Amram, Pharaoh is 
strong; it is well to obey his commands. 

Amram. Our God is stronger. 

Khai. What wondrous faith ! Comfort thy wife ! 

(Exit Khai r., while Amram comforts the weeping 

JOCHEBED. ) 

JocHEBED. Oh, my boy, my boy ! 
Amram. He is in God's hands, beloved. In His 
own good time 

CURTAIN 



SCENE n. — A wooded place near the margin of the 
river. There are hushes and tall rushes up R. and c. 
and L. 

(Enter Miriam l. She is stealing softly across to R. 
when she looks off L., then runs up l. and hides her- 
self behind a bush as Thermuthis, followed by 
ZouHARTi and Kilagipa enters down l.) 



14 THE CHILD MOSES 

Thermuthis (pausing r. c. and looking off r.). 
Just here we saw the ibis yesterday, feeding her young. 

ZouHARTi (c). I do hope we shall see her again. 
The fledglings are so cunning. 

KiLAGiPA (l. c). I like to see the worms and 
snakes wriggling in the beak of the bird. Their twist- 
ings are so funny. 

Thermuthis. Dost thou not feel sorry for the 
snakes ? 

KiLAGiPA. Why should I waste pity on a worm? 

Thermuthis. Thou hast never wasted sympathy 
on anything, Kilagipa. I love a mother bird ! 

ZouHARTi (looking off r.). Look over there. 
Princess; there is something caught among the reeds. 

(Points R.) 

Thermuthis. It looks like a basket. What dost 
thou think it is? 

Kilagipa. There is something alive in it. I saw 
it move. 

ZouHARTi. I think I can reach it. Shall I try? 

Thermuthis. Yes, do! (Zouharti goes out r.) 
This strange old river, always flowing on and always 
bringing some new interest to us. (Looking off R. ) 
Look, Zouharti has the basket and she is smiling down 
at it. 

Kilagipa. Zouharti always smiles. Didst thou not 
see something move above the edge ? 

Thermuthis. What is it, Zouharti? 

(Zouharti enters r. with the ark in her arms. The 
others go to her.) 

Zouharti. Guess ! 

(Miriam slips out of her hiding place and shyly comes 

down L. c. ) 

Thermuthis (r. c). A baby! Give it to me! 
Poor little child, it is frightened ! One of the Hebrew 
mothers has tried to save her son. (She takes the 
ark. ) How big he is ! How did the mother manage 
to hide him so long? 



THE CHILD MOSES 



15 



KlLAGiPA (c). Throw it back into the water! 
Remember Pharaoh's edict ! 

ZouHARTi (r.). Kilagipa! 

Thermuthis. The river has refused him, and has 
given him to me. 

Zouharti (notices Miriam). Come here, Httle 
girl, and see the pretty fish I have just dipped out of 
the river. 

(Miriam crosses r. to her. Nefert enters down l.) 

Thermuthis. We must have a nurse ! 
Kilagipa. Why ? 

Miriam. What a lovely little baby ! 
Zouharti. There is Nefert, my maid before she 
married. Come here, Nefert. 

(Nefert goes toward r. and looks at the baby, who is 
still in the ark.) 

Nefert. A little Hebrew baby ! 

Zouharti. Thou hast a child, hast thou not, 
Nefert? 

Nefert. Yes, my lady. 

Zouharti. Thermuthis, here is Nefert, who hath 
a little child. 

Thermuthis. I cannot quiet the child. Nefert, 
take it in thy arms and see what thou canst do to 
soothe it. 

(Nefert takes baby from the ark, throwing the latter 
up into the bushes.) 

Miriam (l. c). The baby does not seem to like 
Egyptians ! 

Thermuthis. What didst thou say? 

Miriam. Oh, pardon me, great Princess, the little 
Hebrew child, perhaps it wanteth a Hebrew mother — 
and there are many Hebrew mothers would like a 
little child. 

Thermuthis. Thou art a clever little girl. Go , 
fetch a woman. 



l6 THE CHILD MOSES 

Miriam. I go, Princess. 

(Miriam runs quickly off at l.) 

KiLAGiPA. What nonsense this ! Thou surely dost 
not mean to keep the brat ! 

Thermuthis. Thou must not call him such names. 
I have no child. (Taking the baby from Nefert and 
cuddling it.) The river gave me this boy and I shall 
keep him, my little Mo-iises. (Enter Jannes and 
Jambres, slowly, at l. Thermuthis, not seeing the 
scribes.) What soft dark rings of downy hair ! Such 
large black eyes! Such wrinkly, dimpled fatness. 
See, Zouharti, how his curly fingers hold on to mine. 

Nefert. My little one is needing me. 

(She goes out l.) 

KiLAGiPA (moving toward the scribes). The 
Princess hath fished a Hebrew youngster out of the 
Mo. She calls him Mouses, and means to keep him. 

Jannes (l. c). That is against the king's decree. 

Jambres (l.). A woman's foolishness may defeat 
the foresight of a seer. 

Jannes. Let us look at the child. 

Jambres. Touch him not. I have a presentiment 
that evil will come of this. 

(Thermuthis and Zouharti laugh.) 

Thermuthis. Evil! What evil? It is only a 
babe. See for thyself. Is he not wonderful? 

(Holds the baby toward the scribes.) 

Jambres. Heed the warning that I gave the King. 
This may be the child who shall deliver the Israelites 
from our power, and bring our dominion low. 

Thermuthis (laughs). How foolish to fear a little 
helpless babe ! 

Jambres. When the Gods have warned us, we 
should take care.- 



THE CHILD MOSES I7 

Jannes. Thy father is a wise and cautious man, 
Princess. What is the use of kiUing a thousand babies, 
and then keeping one who may grow up and fulfill 
the prophecy? 

KiLAGiPA. That is right. We should not take 
such a risk ! 

Therm UTHis. This little one shall grow up in my 
care, and he shall learn to love me as a mother. No 
harm can come of that ! 

ZouHARTi. Our care and tenderness will make him 
an Egyptian. 

KiLAGiPA. Can ye change the leopard's spots? 

Jambres. The King has issued his commands. 
Give me the child. He must be thrown again into the 
river. {He steps toward Thermuthis.) 

Thermuthis {retreating r.). Thou shalt not touch 
him. (Jambres touches the baby.) Take thy hands 
away. 

Jambres (r. c). I touched him, and in that mo- 
ment I knew ! Thermuthis, this is the one foretold, 
and if thou rearest him, he will bring great trouble to 
our nation. I warn thee. 

Thermuthis (r.). Why should I heed thy warn- 
ing? If thou couldst tell that this is he, why hath my 
father killed a thousand innocents, and left a thou- 
sand Hebrew mothers to fill this lovely land with 
their lamentations ? 

(Thermuthis carries the baby up r., followed by 
ZouHARTi. Jambres crosses to l. Kilagipa fol- 
lows him.) 

Kilagipa (aside to the scribes). She hath sent for 
a Hebrew woman to nurse him. Persuade her to find 
an Egyptian wife who will see to it that the child is 
properly disposed of. 

Jannes. An excellent idea ! 

Jambres (softly). Thermuthis 

Thermuthis (imth her back to the scribes, an- 
swers over her shoulder). Do not try to argue with 
me more. I won't give up this treasure ! 



l8 THE CHILD MOSES 

Jambres {approaching her up R.). Art thou sure 
thy father wilt not forbid thee keeping it? 

Thermuthis (turning). He never yet denied me 
anything my heart desired. 

Jambres (coaxingly). Thou wilt want a nurse, of 
course. I know an excellent mother, named Puah. 
Shall I send for her? She is a good Egyptian, who 
knovveth all the customs and legends of our people, 
and she will bring up the child in our ways. 

Thermuthis. Thou knowest her well? 

Jambres. Yes, very well. She often comes to talk 
with me, and learn the sacred things. 

Tpiermuthis. I have a nurse already. 

Jambres (up r. c). Who is she? An Egyptian? 

Thermuthis. No, a Hebrew. 

Jannes (dozvn l.). A Hebrew! This is madness. 

Jambres. Thou dost not mean that thou wilt take 
a Hebrew woman to nurse this Hebrew child. The 
mighty one, thy father, will not permit it. 

Thermuthis. I think he will. 

Jambres. I shall see him and warn him. I shall 
persuade him that this thing is dangerous. He values 
my advice. 

Thermuthis. He values more my love and happi- 
ness, and I shall see him first. 

Jambres. Thou saith that thou wouldst have this 
boy grow up thy son; then choose a woman who will 
know how to instil in him Egyptian manners and 
ideals. An Israelite may teach him to hate our nation 
and thee — his foster mother ! 

Thermuthis. An Israelite will love him and give 
him watchful care. Who knows? The woman of 
thy choice might do thy will and kill him. 

Jannes. What use to reason with a wilful woman ! 
Let us go. (Crosses R.) 

Jambres (coining down c). Swayed b)^ emotion, 
reasonless, and unreasonable, forever upsetting the 
wise and thoughtful plans of man, this is woman. 
(Turns to Thermuthis.) Thermuthis, thou wilt rue 
this day ! 

Thermuthis. Perhaps ! 



THE CHILD MOSES I9 

{The two scribes pass out down r. Kilagipa goes up 
L., while Miriam and Jochebed enter down l.) 

ZouHARTi. See, the little girl returneth, bringing 
with her a woman. 

Miriam. Most high and noble Princess, here is 
Jochebed, who hath lately lost her son. She will be 
glad to care for the beautiful little boy baby. 

Thermuthis {coming down c. with baby, followed 
by ZouHARTi). Dry thy tears, my woman, and give 
thy mother love to this little stranger, and I will pay 
thee well. {She gives baby to Jochebed.) 

Jochebed. He looks a healthy, well-formed child. 
Ah, my little one ! 

ZouHARTi. Forget thy little one in loving this. 

Thermuthis. Perhaps thou hadst better take him 
home with thee to-night. To-morrow, bring him to 
the palace, and we will make arrangements for his 
care. 

Jochebed. If I am found with a child, a Hebrew 
child, no questions will be asked, but Khai or Shiprah 
will straightway destroy him. 

Kilagipa {up c). Yes, they know their duty; they 
are good and faithful servants of the King. 

{She comes down r.) 

Zouharti {down r. c). Put thy amulet upon his 
neck, for everybody knoweth the royal jewel, and 
none will dare to harm him. 

Kilagipa. What ! put thy jewels upon an Israelite, 
the condemned child of a bondsman? 

Thermuthis (c, taking off her necklace and fasten- 
ing it around the neck of Moses). Thou art a dear 
sweet counselor, Zouharti. This will protect him even 
as I myself. Farewell, my Moiises, my pretty water 
baby, my beautiful boy, my son! {She kisses baby.) 

Kilagipa. What gushing nonsense ! 

Zouharti. How contented the darling lies in Joche- 
bed's arms. 

Thermuthis. Remember, Jochebed, to bring him 



20 THE CHILD MOSES 

to me early in the morning. Come, Zouharti, and 
Kilagipa. 

(Thermuthis and Zouharti pass out r. Kilagipa 
pauses a moment, scowling at the child in Joche- 
bed's arms. Then she too goes out r., leaving 
JocHEBED, Miriam, and the baby, at c.) 

Miriam (joyfully). Oh, he is ours again! He is 
ours, my baby brother! 

JocHEBED. Thou hast done well, my child. 

(Enter Amram, l.) 

Amram. Jochebed! Miriam! What hast thou 
there? (He approaches them.) 

Jochebed (going to him). See, our son is returned 
to us. 

Amram (looking around fearfidly). Why hast thou 
done this ? They will kill him ! 

Jochebed. Nay, he is safe, safe. Look here. 

(She lifts the amidet and shows it.) 

Amram. The amulet of the Princess ! How comes 
it there on the child's neck? 

Jochebed. The Princess found him and has 
adopted him. She hath named him Moses. I too 
name thee Moses. (She kisses the baby. To her hus- 
band.) His life is safe. No Egyptian can touch 
him now. 

Amram (amazed, then joy fid). Thou art right. 
(Then in an awed voice.) Jochebed, dost thou see 
what this means ? 

Jochebed. Ay, truly, that my son is returned as 
from the dead. 

Amram. It is a miracle! 

Jochebed and Miriam (awed). A miracle? 

Amram. Aye; it is the Lord's doing. This child 
(touches the baby) is the promised Deliverer. It 
must be so. 

Jochebed (looking at him with wide eyes). Amram ! 
Our son, the Deliverer of his people I 



THE CHILD MOSES %1 

Amram. The sign is plain. How wondrous are 
God's ways. He hath used the daughter of Pharaoh 
to spoil her father's plans. Through this child shall 
the Egyptians be brought low ! Surely the God of 
Abraham will keep His covenant to the children of 
Israel ! 

( JocHEBED sinks to one knee, gazing r aptly at the baby. 
Miriam bends over the baby, touching it reverently. 
Above them stands Amram, with uplifted hands and 
his lips moving as in prayer. The look on his face 
is as though he sees a vision.) 



CURTAIN 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

GRADUATION DAY AT W^OOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six 
males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of 
playing, two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes; 
may be presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com- 
bination of a real "entertainment," including music, recitations,^ 
etc., with an interesting love story. The graduation exercises 
include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions,' 
and a comical speech by a country school trustee. Price, 15 
cents. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight malts 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee, who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers 
to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims 
the teacher. Very easy and very effective. Price, 15 cents. 

BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- 
tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male 
and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. 
Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are 
sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig," a clerk in 
a country store, aspires to^ be a great author or singer and 
decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in 
Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership 
in the country store. He pops the question in the midst of a 
surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 
Price, 15 cents. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- 
numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special 
(scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all 
easy. The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- 
vention. The climax comes when a woman's rights cham- 
pion, captures the convention. There is a great chance to bur- 
lesque modern politics and to work in local gags. Every 
part will make a hit. Price, 15 cents. 

SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and five female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled. 
Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may be played without set 
scenery. Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- 
ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for 
specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted 
to almost any place or occasion. Price, 15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLEY'S. An En- 
tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and 
seven female characters. Interior scene, or may be given with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. Time, one hour. By the 
author of the popular successes, "Graduation Day at Wood Hill 
School," "Back to the Country Store," etc. The villagers have 
planned a birthday surprise party for Mary Brinkley, recently 
graduated from college. They all join in jolly games, songs, 
conundrums, etc., and Mary becomes engaged, which surprises 
the surprisers. The entertainment is a sure success. Price, 15 cents^ 

JONES VS. JINKS. A Mock Trial in One Act, by 

Edward Mumford. Fifteen male and six female characters, with 
supernumeraries if desired. May be played all male. Many of the 
parts (members of the jury, etc.) are small. Scene, a simple 
interior ; may be played without scenery. Costumes, modern. 
Time of playing, one hour. This mock trial has many novel 
features, imusual characters and quick action. Nearly every 
character has a funny entrance and laughable lines. There are 
many rich parts, and fast fun throughout. Price, 15 cents. 

THE SIGHT-SEEING CAR. A Comedy Sketch in One 
Act, by Ernest M. Gould. For seven males, two females, or 
may be all male. Parts may be doubled, with quick changes, so 
that four persons may play the sketch. Time, forty-five minutes. 
Simple street scene. Costumes, modern. The superintendent 
of a sight-seeing automobile engages two men to run the 
machine. A Jew, a farmer, a fat lady and other humorous 
characters give them all kinds of trouble. This is a regular ggt- 
ling-gun stream of rollicking repartee. Price, 15 cents. 

THE CASE OF SMYTHE VS. SMITH. An Original 
Mock Trial in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eighteen males 
and two females, or may be all male. Plays about one hour. 
Scene, a county courtroom ; requires no scenery ; may be played 
in an ordinary hall. Costumes, modern. This entertainment is 
nearly perfect of its kind, and a sure success. It can be easily 
produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost 
any number of good parts. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter-, 
tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen 
females and one male. The male part may be played by a 
female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or 
more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery^ 
nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can| 
easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. Price, 25 cents. 

BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical 
Entertainment in One Act, by Edward Mumford. For five males 
and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- 
ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations 
which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire 
fun from start to finish. Price, 15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PlilLAPELPHIA 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts, 
by Mrs. E. J. H, Goodfellow. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod- 
ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con- 
sult each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician. 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a female practitioner. Price, 15 cents. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
of Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, 
and they institute a similar organization. Price, 15 cents. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment, by Amelia Sanford. For seven female char- 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Young gets tired li\'ing with her aunt, Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position." 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. Price, 15 
cents. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters. 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern. 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thovisand a year. At a tea IMabel meets her dearest frieni. 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her. 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts, 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter- 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
h~er as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnish 
an evening of rare enjoyment. Price 15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



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